Obituaries
William “Bill” Lauris
April 12, 2023
Bill went to be with his Savior and other family members that went before him on April 12, 2023. Bill was a teacher and a coach. He was born in Braddock, PA in 1942 to Bill and Martha Lauris. He was the oldest of three children.
He attended (then) Millersville State College (now Millersville University) and received a B.S. in Comprehensive Science in 1964 and a M.Ed. in Biology from West Chester State College in 1968. He started his teaching career at Cocalico High School teaching a variety of science classes and as an assistant football and track coach. After two years at Cocalico, he took a job as chemistry teacher at Lampeter-Strasburg where he taught for 21 years. In 1968 he was hired as assistant football coach at Millersville State College and continued coaching at Millersville until 1987. 17 of those years, he served as defensive line coach and defensive coordinator under Gene Carpenter, the highly successful football coach and legend at Millersville. While at Lampeter-Strasburg he was active in encouraging students to become involved in process science by preparing science fair projects. During his tenure, numerous Lampeter-Strasburg students won awards at the Lancaster Science and Engineering Fair including seven grand champions who also participated in the International Science Fair at various locations across the United States. He also served as director of the Lancaster Science & Engineering Fair on six different occasions. In 1986, Bill was named Teacher of the Year at Lampeter-Strasburg. In 1987 he accepted the Science Supervisor’s position at Conestoga Valley and schools. It was Conestoga Valley where he met Janice. She was the principal’s secretary and working on her nursing degree. In 1985 he accepted a teaching position in the Educational Foundations Department at Millersville University teaching the Science Methods course to prospective teachers. He continued at the University until 2013 where he taught Science Methods to elementary students, taught a number of summer workshops in environmental science to teachers, and supervised student teachers. In 2010, he was selected by IU 13 to be a “Science Coach” to other science teachers at part of Project ARRMS (Achieving Rigor & Relevance in Math and Science). He continued that role until 2013. Also, in 2010 he received the North Museum Board of Directors award for Excellence in Science Education.
Bill enjoyed golf and was a member of the Parsormore golf group. As a former football coach, he loved the fall where he could watch the Millersville Marauders, Pittsburg Steelers, and just about any other college games available.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Martha, brother Dave, and stepson Will. He is survived by wife Janice married since 1992 for 30 years although Bill always liked to add a zero to the end. Also surviving are his two children Jennifer J. Lauris of Lititz and William D. Lauris of Lancaster. He has two stepsons, Douglas Myer, and Justin Myer both of Ephrata. He had nine grandchildren. Mollie, daughter of Jennifer Lauris, Marlee, daughter of William D. and Maria Lauris. Olivia daughter and Quincy son of Doug and Heather Myer, Owen son of Will and Amy Berg, Ragan and Peyten daughters to Will and Jamie Myer, Joey son and Elizabeth daughter to Justin and Nicole Myer. He is also survived by his sister Jane Samluk from Delmont and his sister-in-law Pamela Lauris from Lititz.
In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Gene Carpenter Scholarship Endowment and C4life.org.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11AM on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 E. Roseville Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601. Interment will be private. Family and friends will be received from 9:30-11AM at the church on Saturday.
Watch the tribute videoLeave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
June 03, 2023
I send my sincere sympathy to the entire Lauris family. Many of us took his chemistry class in the Lampeter-Strasburg Class of 1972. I remember his enthusiasm and energy and his broad, positive smile. He was a devoted and dedicated teacher who helped us learn that element chart, balancing equations, and doing chem in the lab. Every time I pick up an unknown bottle of chemicals his safety procedures that he taught us in the lab comes back to me. He will be sorely missed. God’s peace and blessings be with his family and may God comfort you in this difficult time. God bless you Mr. Lauris, you will be missed. May you stand in God’s perpetual light. Marlene Stinson Phillips
June 02, 2023
Condolances to the entire Lauris family. I was a student at LS (class of 1978) and was privledged to take several science classes from Bill, including chemistry and entomology, which fostered a life long fascination with insects and beekeeping; Bill was also my senior science project advisor. He is one of the main reasons why I chose to pursue biology/biochemistry professionally and I am forever grateful to him.
Bill was so affable, it was a pleasure to be in his classes. Once in our senior year, a group of about 8 of us, decided to dress up and go out for dinner at the Stockyard Inn, very near Christmas. After dinner, someone said, “Let’s go see Mr. Lauris”. And so we did. A surprise knock on his door and we were greeted warmly. How unusual that a group of teenagers think to visit a teacher on a Saturday night of fun!
Blessings and Love to you, Bill Lauris.
Carol Stinson Becker
June 01, 2023
On behalf of the L-S Class of 1970 I’d like to send condolences to Mr. Lauris’ family. Many of us had him for Chemistry. He was a kind and patient educator. He will be missed. Kitty Kuehner Cunningham
April 24, 2023
My sincere condolences go out to Janice and the Lauris family. During a friendship that started almost 60 years ago I always looked forward to any opportunity to be in Bill’s company. It was just a pleasure to be around him in just about any setting.. RIP Big Guy.
Nick Corbo
April 23, 2023
Coach Lauris was blessed to be an outstanding educator in the classroom and on the football field. It was an honor to play for him and Millersville. Marauder Pride.
Bob Creveling
April 22, 2023
It was a distinct honor to be coached by Coach Lauris. He was my down lineman coach for three year and I was the better for it.I believe o was his first all conference lineman he coached one of many to come. He was a kindred soul and he definitely mead a long term effect on me and the way I coached.!y condolences to his family….
Michael Panarella
April 19, 2023
Dear Janice, Bill and Family,
My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Bill was my department chair and fellow chemistry teacher at Conestoga Valley High for 15 years. He was an outstanding educator and mentor- always supportive of the science program. He left an important lagacy to future CV students, and will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Ted Nichols
April 18, 2023
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. What an accomplished resume, what a fine person.
Mark Francis
April 17, 2023
Dear Janice and Family,
Our deepest condolences, love, thoughts, and prayers are with you. May our Heavenly Father guide you through this time of sorrow with the light of his love. We pray that He will comfort and provide you with courage and hope. How very blessed we were to have someone like Coach Lauris in our life. He epitomized the love of the game, the importance of having a strong foundation-on and off the field and the real meaning of teamwork. What I also remember about Coach was his smile, calm demeanor, and having a significant amount of patience with us. His dedication, loyalty, and kindness to Coach Katchmer, Coach Carpenter, his fellow Coaches, the Players, the Trainers, and Staff, all through the years is a testament to this great man’s life – Athlete, Coach, Educator, Scientist and Mentor, Coach Lauris was the total package.
As a Spiritual Gift for you and your Family, Coach’s name will be placed in the Book of Remembrance at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with a Votive Candle lit in his memory at Saint John the Apostle Catholic Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia and each year on the 12th of April with an Intercession of Remembrance during Vespers as a part of the Liturgy of the Hours. Coach Lauris will also be honored and remembered in Lourdes, France with a Candle lit in the in the Grotto of Apparitions and with the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered in his name at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. May God Bless and Keep you all.
“Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
V/R
COL (R) Bill Davis, USA Special Forces
Millersville Football 1969-1971
April 17, 2023
I am saddened to read of Bill’s passing. My prayers go out to all of his family. May God’s Peace and Blessings be with all of you during this difficult time.
I knew Bill through teaching & coaching football at L-S and briefly at The Ville. I always appreciated his encouragement, support and perspective on life and coaching. My life’s journey has been blessed by his presence in it. I have no doubt that he, Carp, Kab and Bailes are recruiting and preparing together for next football season.
It’s been said that good-byes are the law on Earth, but reunions are the law in Heaven. So I say ‘See you later my friend’ instead of good-bye.
Wayne Hoffman
April 16, 2023
Coach Lauris was a very kind soul but was very passionate about Marauder football. Our success was founded under his leadership. Rest easy Coach!
Roger Smith ’89
Marauder Pride!
April 16, 2023
“Senor Bill” was my IPA drinking buddy and Palace Resorts amigo. The 4 of us spent many a time at DogFish Head in Rehoboth. Our birthdays were only a few days (and years) apart and there were many years of celebrating together. Janice and Heather grew up across the street from each other in high school and their friendship has experienced many happy adventures. We will sorely miss those times with my buddy Bill, but I am grateful that I have lived those memories.
Larry Devlin
April 16, 2023
Dear Billy and Jenny,
It is with great sympathy that I remember your Dad. Growing up as kids in Willow Street seems like a lifetime ago, but how easily and joyfully the memories all come back. Remembering Mr Lauris taking us to Crystal Cave, and Millersville football games. Please know you are both etched in my heart, and will remain there. I am very very sorry for your loss. Peace to you and your families. Love and prayers always.
Nic Bertolini Martin
April 16, 2023
I counted Bill as one of my dearest friends on earth. I am so very grateful to have known him for all these years. He made me laugh on so many occasions and was full of one-liners that were witty and truthful! He frequently greeted me with the nickname he invented for me, Double Play, or DP, both a riff on my initials. I have so many stories of fun times that involved Bill! North Shores will always be a special memory, too.
Janice, Jenny, and Billy…💖 my heart breaks for your loss. Lots of love and hugs to you!
Donna Popo
April 15, 2023
My deepest condolences to the entire family.
Linda Denlinger
April 15, 2023
I want to add to the tremendous testimonials for a great coach and person. Coach Lauris made the game of football and being a Marauder special. His coaching taught us how to win games, but his gift of mentoring and his friendship made us better people. I wish I could hear him call me “Dull” just one more time. Thanks, Coach.
John Ricketts
April 15, 2023
So very sorry to hear. Bill was my Science Department Head at CV. I always respected him as a leader and also a friend
Crawford Kauffman
April 15, 2023
Coach was an outstanding communicator and motivator, but as good as he was as a coach he was even a better person. His upbeat attitude and personality touched many lives and will be truly missed. His coaching style impacted my life as a coach. God bless and rest in piece.
Chris Ciatto
April 15, 2023
Our thoughts and sympathies to Jan, Jen and the rest of the family. I have many fine memories of the many years Bill and I served our respective departments at Conestoga Valley and our adminstrative retreats. He will be sorely missed.
Jim & Cora Dum
April 15, 2023
Bill was my good friend through elementary, Park Terrace junior high and high school. We remained in touch over the many years since then. One of the highlights of Christmas was our annual exchange of letters. I will really miss him. He was really a special man.
Connie (Heiple) Bradley. Mesquite, NV
- Visitation
- Saturday, June 03, 2023
- 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- Highland Presbyterian Church
- 500 E. Roseville Rd
- Lancaster, PA 17601
- Map and Directions
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Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Saturday, June 03, 2023
- 11:00 AM
- Highland Presbyterian Church
- 500 E. Roseville Rd
- Lancaster, PA 17601
- Map and Directions
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Get Maps and Directions >
